Career and Education Opportunities for Orthodontists in Seattle, Washington

Orthodontist career and educational opportunities abound in Seattle, Washington. Currently, 120 people work as orthodontists in Washington. This is expected to grow by 20% to about 150 people by 2016. This is better than the national trend for orthodontists, which sees this job pool growing by about 19.8% over the next eight years. In general, orthodontists examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies.

Orthodontists earn about over $80 hourly or over $166,400 yearly on average in Washington and about over $80 hourly or over $166,400 per year on average nationally. Earnings for orthodontists are better than earnings in the general category of Dental in Washington and better than general Dental category earnings nationally. Orthodontists work in a variety of jobs, including: dentist.

There is one school within twenty-five miles of Seattle where you can study to be an orthodontist, among sixty-five schools of higher education total in the Seattle area. Given that the most common education level for orthodontists is post-Doctoral training, it will take at least four or five years to learn to be an orthodontist if you already have a Bachelor's degree, or at least eight to ten years starting with a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Orthodontist

Orthodontist video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, orthodontists examine, diagnose, and treat dental malocclusions and oral cavity anomalies. They also design and fabricate appliances to realign teeth and jaws to produce and maintain normal function and to improve appearance.

Orthodontists fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to modify the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth. They also furnish patients with proposed treatment plans and cost estimates. Equally important, orthodontists have to adjust dental appliances to produce and maintain normal function. They are often called upon to ready diagnostic and treatment records. They are expected to layout and fabricate appliances, such as space maintainers and labial and lingual arch wires. Finally, orthodontists instruct dental officers and technical assistants in orthodontic procedures and techniques.

Every day, orthodontists are expected to be able to evaluate problems as they arise. It is also important that they articulate ideas and problems.

Somewhat less frequently, orthodontists are also expected to fit dental appliances in patients' mouths to modify the position and relationship of teeth and jaws or to realign teeth.

Orthodontists sometimes are asked to study diagnostic records, such as medical or dental histories, plaster models of the teeth, photos of a patient's face and teeth, and X-rays, to evolve patient treatment plans. They also have to be able to examine patients to gauge abnormalities of jaw development and other dental-facial structures and diagnose teeth and jaw or other dental-facial abnormalities. And finally, they sometimes have to examine patients to gauge abnormalities of jaw development and other dental-facial structures.

Like many other jobs, orthodontists must be thorough and dependable and be reliable.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Seattle include:

Dental Hygienist. Clean teeth and examine oral areas, head, and neck for signs of oral disease. May educate patients on oral hygiene, take and develop X-rays, or apply fluoride or sealants.

Dentist. Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and malformations of teeth and gums and related oral structures. May treat diseases of nerve, pulp, and other dental tissues affecting vitality of teeth.

Licensed Practical Nurse. Care for ill, injured, or disabled persons in hospitals, nursing homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.

Physician Assistant. Provide healthcare services typically performed by a physician, under the supervision of a physician. Conduct complete physicals, provide treatment, and counsel patients. May, in some cases, prescribe medication. Must graduate from an accredited educational program for physician assistants.

Radiation Therapist. Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Orthodontist Training

University of Washington-Seattle Campus - Seattle, WA

University of Washington-Seattle Campus, 1400 NE Campus Parkway, Seattle, WA 98195-4550. University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a large university located in Seattle, Washington. It is a public school with primarily 4-year or above programs. It has 39,675 students and an admission rate of 61%. University of Washington-Seattle Campus has a master's degree program in Orthodontics/Orthodontology which graduated five students in 2008.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington photo by Dschwen

Seattle is located in King County, Washington. It has a population of over 598,541, which has grown by 6.2% in the past ten years. The cost of living index in Seattle, 126, is far greater than the national average. New single-family homes in Seattle are valued at $206,700 on average, which is well below the state average. In 2008, five hundred ninety-five new homes were built in Seattle, down from seven hundred seventy-five the previous year.

The three big industries for women in Seattle are health care, professional, scientific, and technical services, and educational services. For men, it is professional, scientific, and technical services, construction, and educational services. The average commute to work is about 25 minutes. More than 47.2% of Seattle residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 17.3%, is higher than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Seattle is 7.8%, which is less than Washington's average of 8.7%.

The percentage of Seattle residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 37.3%, is less than the national average but more than the state average. The largest religious groups are the Catholic Church, the LDS (Mormon) Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Seattle is home to the Berth 5 and the Akli Point Lighthouse as well as Lincoln Park and Myrtle Edwards Park. Shopping centers in the area include Lake City Shopping Center, Westwood Village Shopping Center and Oak Tree Village Shopping Center. Visitors to Seattle can choose from A-1 Motel, Arlington Suites and Marriott Sea-Tac Airport for temporary stays in the area.